Armenian Backgammon Set Hand Carved - Braid Ornament

Armenian Backgammon Set Hand Carved - Braid Ornament, by Hrachya Ohanyan

An Armenian braid ornament fills the cover of this board — ribbons of light wood interlacing over and under each other in a great circle, set on a carved lattice ground that darkens toward the edges. The board itself refuses to be a plain rectangle: its contour outline curves and steps like a piece of furniture from another century. A handmade Armenian backgammon set that looks like an heirloom the day it arrives, hand-carved by National Master Hrachya Ohanyan from a single piece of wood.

Undo the cast-bronze clasps and the board opens to a full 23.6″ / 60 cm board: a carved wheel ornament rings the centre of each half, and the points rise in light wood tipped with small carved flourishes. Thirty-two checkers, dice and the branded carrying case are included. This is the wooden backgammon set for the family table — the one the next generation will argue over, in the best way.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, carved from one piece and varnished
• Motif: Armenian braid ornament on the cover, lattice ground, carved wheel ornaments inside
• Outline: signature contour silhouette with carved, stepped edges
• Hardware: cast-bronze hinges and clasps
• Handmade in Armenia by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Backgammon board with bronze hinges and clasps
• 32 checkers made from beech and walnut wood, with velvet bases
• Dice set
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• A braid carved by hand: the interlacing ribbons and the lattice ground are cut into the wood in the Hrachya Ohanyan workshop — no two boards come out the same.
• The contour outline: the curved, stepped silhouette is the signature of the workshop — you recognise one of these boards from across the room.
• Ready for the table: full-size 23.6″ / 60 cm board, checkers in light and dark wood, dice and a carrying case — open it and play.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How big is it? Open, the board is 23.6″ / 60 cm square — the standard full size for a living-room table. Closed, it is 23.6″ × 11.8″ / 60 × 30 cm and stands on its own.

Is the surface carved or printed? Carved. The braid, the lattice and the wheel ornaments inside are all cut into the wood by hand, then varnished — run a finger over the cover and you feel every ribbon.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free to the US, Canada and Europe, always tracked; other countries pay a flat $100 (Brazil, Chile and New Zealand $200). Every set is covered by our 30-day returns.

Can I add a name or a date? Yes — choose the engraving option on this page and tell us the text. A name, a date or a few words turns it into a personalized backgammon set, and it is the detail people remember years later.

How do I look after it? Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators, wipe with a dry soft cloth, and store it closed in the case.

The Armenian Braid

Interlaced braid ornament runs through everything Armenian hands have made — the borders of khachkars, the margins of manuscripts, the stone doorways of monasteries. The ribbons cross over and under without beginning or end, which is exactly what the old carvers meant by it: continuity, family, a line that does not break. On a nardi board it could not be more at home — a game passed from generation to generation, carried on a pattern that says the same.

About the Artist - Hrachya Ohanyan

In 1985, National Master Hrachya Ohanyan began his fine wood craft, introducing a new approach to the age-old traditions of woodworking. After many years of dedication, the Hrachya Ohanyan workshop was established in 2010. Every board passes through 14 stages of production, with 14 separate craftsmen leaving their mark before it reaches its finished form — a piece of wood artistry admired both in Armenia and around the world. Read the story of master Hrachya Ohanyan or explore the full Hrachya Ohanyan backgammon collection.

A Gift That Lasts Generations

A hand-carved Armenian backgammon set is the backgammon gift set we send most often — for weddings, anniversaries, new homes, and at Christmas and on Father's Day to families with Armenian roots. Solid wood, a master's carving and a braid with no end: it will be opened, played and passed on.